The Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services "Children after the Fire" program was recently selected as one of seven finalists by the International Association of Fire Chiefs for the prestigious IAFC's US Safety Engineering Award for Excellence.
Chief Robert Post announced the award at the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night.
“I am honored to announce tonight that we have received this award,” said Post.
Children after the Fire Coordinator Lieutenant Scott Dakin along with coalition members Detective Rachael Love of the Winder Police Department and Pastor Mike Peavey were present for the announcement.
“I want to thank each of these people as well as the ones that could not be here tonight for their dedication to the Children after the Fire program and the citizens of Barrow County,” Post said.
Each year, the IAFC solicits and receives hundreds of entries from fire service organizations across the country for consideration for the award. A review committee screens each program using criterion established during the 24-year existence of the program.
The seven finalists are sent to a final selection committee comprised of past presidents of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The top award winner was announced at the IAFC Annual Conference Aug. 14-17, in Denver, Colo. Chief Robert Post represented the department at the event.
“It was an honor to accept this award on behalf of the coalition that operates the Children after the Fire Program,” commented Post. “Barrow County should be very proud of this program and the people that operate it. It has helped many of our children and will continue to help for many years to come.”
The Award for Excellence is one of the most prestigious awards in the fire service and is awarded for new and innovative programs. The Children after the Fire Program is the first time Barrow County has achieved this honor in the very competitive selection process.
“This program is designed to bring together the help that the children need,” stated Lieutenant Scott Dakin. “When a child is affected by a fire we want to help them deal with all the effects and to get back to living a normal life.”
Fires not only destroy property and can kill people; it can also leave long-lasting traumatic effects on survivors as well. Children that survive a fire may be severely disturbed by the fire, witnessing the catastrophe, or losing treasured possessions, loved ones or even pets. The experience of such a trauma can lead to the development of a psychological disorder known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Barrow County’s Children after the Fire Program is designed to help children deal with the physical and emotional affects when they survive a fire. This is achieved through a multi facetted approach. When a family accepts the program for their children each child receives counseling. This counseling is received at The Tree House under the guidance of the specially trained counselors there. The children also are offered fire and life safety education that is specific to the needs of each child. This education is provided by Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services. If the fire happens in the child’s home, they are also given the chance to shop with a firefighter to replace a lost item. The entire Children after the Fire Program is offered to each child at no cost to the family.
The Children after Recent Traumatic Events is an optional program of the Children after the Fire Program and helps children that have lost a loved one to a traumatic death. This part of the program is operated in the same way, with the exception of the life safety education. The education given to the child is specific to the needs of the child and is administered by Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office or the City of Winder Police Department.
The Children after the Fire Coalition is comprised of representatives from Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services, The Tree House Inc., Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, Winder Police Department, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, Barrow County Family Connection/Communities in Schools, The American Red Cross and Barrow County Schools.
In October this year, the Children after the Fire Program will mark its third anniversary. Now that the coalition has worked on the program for more than three years, it is evaluating expansion of the program. Some of the ways being considered include a Re-Entry program designed to help children when they return to school, a Family after the Fire which will be designed to help the parents/guardians of the children in the program. The coalition is also looking at ways to help the children who have been witnesses to crime.
“The members of the coalition are so excited about the possibilities of this program and the expansion of it,” said Dakin. “It is great to work with people that are so dedicated to the community.”
The members of the coalition recently presented the program at the annual Safety Symposium held at the State Fire Academy in Forsyth, Georgia. The presentation has generated interest in other departments and counties wishing to establish their own programs. The coalition will work with other agencies to train them to establish their own programs.
“We begin training one Metro Atlanta department in September,” stated Lt. Dakin. “We are also expecting interest in the program around the nation as a result of the recognition received through the Award for Excellence Program.”
